About Us

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

Aspen Digital

Aspen Digital is a nonpartisan technology and information-focused program that brings together thinkers and doers to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that empower communities and strengthen democracy. It is future-focused and inspires collaboration among diverse voices from industry, government, and civil society to ensure our interconnected world is accessible, safe, and inclusive – both online and off. Across its initiatives, Aspen Digital develops methods for elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact.

Alliance for Social Trust

Housed within Aspen Digital, the Alliance for Social Trust brings together high-impact community-based organizations, key national institutions, and social innovators focused on trust-building. By convening and elevating these groups, we share insights and experiences, catalyze meaningful dialogue, and foster collective action. Through this work, we amplify their efforts, support local organizations across the country, and foster collaborative solutions that help reshape the conversation around trust while advancing effective trust-building practices at scale.

About This Role

Under the guidance of the Senior Director, Alliance for Social Trust, and in collaboration with the team, the Community Engagement & Partnerships Manager will develop and implement strategic programming that strengthens community engagement, supports Trust in Practice Awardees, and advances the Alliance for Social Trust network. Serving as a key relationship manager, this role will cultivate partnerships, conduct site visits, gather insights from the field, and identify opportunities to deepen community involvement, enhance partner experiences, and strengthen network engagement and retention. The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship-builder with experience in community engagement, partnerships, philanthropy, or nonprofit leadership and a passion for fostering meaningful connections that drive impact.

This position reports to the Senior Director, Alliance for Social Trust. The Community Engagement & Partnerships Manager will work closely with the Senior Program Manager, Operations and the Senior Associate, Communications to ensure community insights, engagement strategies, program activities, and communications efforts are aligned and effectively support the Alliance for Social Trust's goals. The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000. This is a hybrid, Washington, DC-based position, with an expectation of working in the office approximately two days per week and traveling regularly across the country for site visits and community engagement activities.

What You Will Do

Community & Awardee Engagement

Serve as the primary relationship manager for Trust in Practice Awardees and key stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong relationships with awardees, community leaders, and partner organizations, and engage with awardees throughout the implementation of their projects to capture insights and best practices.
Develop and implement strategies to elevate awardee work, providing implementation and measurement support while celebrating progress and helping address challenges.
Facilitate peer learning, collaboration, and networking opportunities across the portfolio.

Community Engagement & Network Strategy

Design and facilitate community-building activities, convenings, and learning opportunities, and grow network engagement.
Partner with the Senior Associate, Communications to develop and amplify stories, insights, and engagement opportunities that strengthen the Alliance for Social Trust network.

Site Visits, Learning & Partnerships

Conduct site visits and engage directly with awardees and community partners.
Identify best practices and innovative approaches that increase trust, and gather and synthesize insights from the field to inform program strategy and decision-making.
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that advance the Alliance's mission.

Program Operations & Communications

Support engagement-related communications, reporting, and stakeholder updates.
Maintain records of engagement, activities, and outcomes.
Assist with planning and logistics for meetings, convenings, and special initiatives.
Partner with the Senior Program Manager, Operations to coordinate engagement activities, site visits, convenings, and other programmatic initiatives.
Ensure community feedback, engagement data, and stakeholder insights are incorporated into program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

What You'll Need to Thive

5+ years of relevant experience in community engagement, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, partnerships, public affairs, or related fields;
Experience building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups;
Experience managing partnerships, grant portfolios, or community-based initiatives;
Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-management skills;
Strong project management and organizational abilities;
Ability to travel regularly for site visits and community engagement activities;
Being proactive and self-motivated, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment;
Familiarity with evaluation, impact measurement, and learning practices; and
Understanding of equity-centered and community-led engagement approaches.
Familiarity with the social trust, civic and community engagement, democracy space, and nonprofit environment is highly preferred.

Additional Information

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability.

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Manager, Community Engagement & Partnerships, Alliance for Social Trust